World's Largest Military Baby Shower

Talk about a baby boom. What do you get when thousands of Fort Bragg soldiers returned home last fall from their annual deployment? Thousands of pregnant spouses with due dates in June or July.

Fayetteville Cares, a non-profit organization that heartily supports its military community, hosted the extravagant baby shower for more than 1,000 military mothers on June 25 at the Crown Center, making it the world's largest military baby shower ever with the help of hundreds of volunteers and community sponsors.

The lucky winner of a Chevrolet Cruz was Lauren Allen. To make the win even sweeter, Lauren's car had just broken down that morning and she rented a car to drive to the event.

"We want you to know that Fayetteville cares and that the community at large is in support of you and your families," said Joanne Chavonne of Fayetteville Cares and co-chair of Boots & Booties event.

The senior commander of Fort Bragg, Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, currently serving as the Deputy Commanding General for operations for U.S. Forces Iraq, showed up by video teleconference on a large screen to thank the wives of the soldiers they are deployed with as part of Operation New Dawn. 

"I hope there is a doctor in the house just in case," joked Helmick as he greeted the women, many of whom are expecting.

"It may sound trite because of the overuse, but in fact it's true. It's you who end up wrestling with the washer machine or the freezer that breaks just as we leave," said USASOC Commander Lt. Gen. John F. Mulholland from the stage. "Many of you work on top of that and the stresses are extraordinary, and there is no way to fully thank you for it, but this is an extraordinary example by this great city to recognize you for your service; as new moms or moms again, there is an awful lot on your plate."

Sgt. Amber Mangan, in a communications position with the 18th Airborne Corps, was in attendance with her new baby, Johnathan. Her spouse has been deployed for six months in Afghanistan, and she says they keep in close touch but that it's too hard for her to Skype and she just cries. They do have the chance to talk frequently by telephone. 

"I think it's nice that all of us moms got to be recognized," Mangan said.

Expectant mom Jolaine Colvin came by herself to the shower and is due in November with twins, one boy and one girl. She said she was overwhelmed with the kindess of the others and was amazed at the decorations and how special she felt by the event.

"Knowing they are all military, it's rewarding to be able to volunteer to help them since they serve and help us everyday," said table host volunteer Judy Dawkins. "It's such a joy to see all these ladies here."

But this is not their first rodeo. In November 2008, Fayetteville Cares partnered with Operation Homefront to hold the first Boots & Booties event for more than 950 military mothers.  At least 150 volunteers from across the Fayetteville community supported this event.  The event had more than 50 partners and sponsors and a total investment of more than $250,000.